Park launched in grand style with flyover at Wirraway Estate Thornton

An exciting new aviation-themed park at Wirraway in Thornton has opened featuring a fitness station, half-sized basketball court, shared cycle paths and a skateboard area.

One hundred 100 students from Thornton Public School were the first to tackle the new playground equipment, after a spectacular flyover by a vintage 1942 Wirraway plane, one of only four left operating in the world.

Wirraway is a new community by award-winning developer Defence Housing Australia (DHA). Comprising tree-lined streets and shared community spaces and more than 16 hectares dedicated to open space. It will eventually be home to more than 500 families.

Special guests at the opening included Ronald Guthrie, a Korean War veteran and US Air Medal recipient. Mr Guthrie was a tail-end Charlie (rear gunner in a bomber) and flew 14 combat sorties—before his last on 29 August 1951.

The streets of Wirraway are named after RAAF war heroes, with Guthrie Crescent nearby to the new park.